GHX to Lead Session on Global Data Synchronization at Global GS1 Healthcare Conference in Amsterdam

LOUISVILLE, Colo., Sept. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The director of Global Data Standardization for GHX, MJ Wylie, will explore the opportunities and challenges of global data synchronization with a panel of experts at the Global GS1 Healthcare Conference in Amsterdam. The panel discussion, entitled "Expanding Global Reach of the GDSN in Healthcare," will take place October 6, 2011, from 9:30–10:30 CET at the conference, being held October 4–6. Wylie was recently added to the GS1 US Global Healthcare Leadership Team.

Regulatory and market demands both in the U.S. and abroad are driving healthcare suppliers to standardize their product data in an effort to streamline supply chain processes, reduce operational costs and improve patient safety. As suppliers implement global data standards, they are learning the true value of data standardization comes not only in adopting the standards themselves, but also from synchronizing the data with external trading partners and leveraging it in business transactions.

Panel participants Steve Capel, director of eBusiness EMEA at Covidien; David Leedam, senior manager of e-Commerce for Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics; and Alex Zimmerman, director of Supply Chain Information Management at ROi, Sisters of Mercy Health System, will discuss how suppliers are meeting regulatory, industry and customer requirements for data standardization in multiple countries by leveraging the GHX Health ConneXion(SM), a GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN®)-certified data pool. GHX Health ConneXion enables suppliers to publish standardized product data that can be accessed by trading partners across the globe to help improve operational, financial and clinical performance.

"Localized patient care is driven by a vast global healthcare network with suppliers serving providers in multiple countries and providers expanding into new markets," said Wylie. "By enabling suppliers to share standardized product data with trading partners via the GDSN, GHX is driving greater supply chain efficiency for global suppliers and the customers they serve regardless of where they are in the world."

About GHX

Global Healthcare Exchange, LLC (GHX) makes healthcare more efficient by delivering software and services that enable both healthcare providers and suppliers to increase efficiency, lower costs and provide better patient care. With the largest footprint in healthcare supply chain management, GHX connects more than 80 percent of licensed hospital beds at U.S. hospitals, as well as providers in Canada and Europe, with the suppliers from which they purchase the majority of their medical-surgical supplies. GHX is transforming today's linear healthcare supply chain into the industry's only Healthcare Supply Cloud(SM), providing 360-degree visibility into areas affecting both clinical and financial performance. Working with GHX, organizations can improve business processes, automate supply chain systems and collaborate to solve the tough challenges facing healthcare today. GHX is owned by members of the healthcare industry, including Abbott Exchange, Inc.; AmerisourceBergen Corp.; Baxter Healthcare Corp.; B. Braun Medical Inc.; BD; Boston Scientific Corp.; Cardinal Health, Inc.; Covidien; C.R. Bard, Inc.; Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.; GE Healthcare; HCA; Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc.; McKesson Corp.; Medtronic USA, Inc.; Owens & Minor; Premier, Inc.; Siemens; University HealthSystem Consortium; and VHA Inc.  For more information, visit www.ghx.com. Follow GHX on Twitter @GHX_LLC and on Facebook @GHX.

SOURCE GHX